#au post 6

[scribblestatic]

Awww shit, it's popping off fr. More amputee!SY for the spooky month.

Between writing Tumblr stuff and my fics on my mature AO3, my bag's heckin full lmao. But I'm enjoying writing this, so I'll keep doing it hehehehe

Ah, also, I refer to Amitabha Buddha as such instead of his Mandarin Chinese name, Amituofo. So, any ascetic practitioners will be saying "Amitabha" for their greetings and such. Just a head's up.

Prev: Part 5

---

He absolutely planned this. Of course he did.

Never underestimate Binghe.

Shen Yuan sent a withering stare over to the demon emperor, but he seemed to ignore it this time. Though, the blood mites warmed in a spot around his shoulders, the exact spots he sometimes holds and rubs him placatingly. So, the man knew he was giving him the "I'm not mad, I'm just disappointed" look and asking him to roll with the situation for now.

Ach, fine, fine. Gods forbid he have some peace.

"The first accusation this lord brought against Shen Qingqiu was that he abused me on Qing Jing Peak. Back then, Shen Qingqiu made no plea, and he was found guilty. How do you plea now, my love?"

...Not sure where you're going with this, but as he promised, Shen Yuan would go with the flow.

"Guilty," he answered plainly, with the crowd starting to murmur at his admittance.

"So he says. And yet, the case at the time was missing important context that I, at the time, was too blinded by my own hatred to pursue."

"And what would that be?" Yue Qingyuan asked, his voice low and hands clenched.

"One, that many of the punishments bestowed upon me were quite common for Cang Qiong Sect."

Immediately, many demons expressed outrage, griping about how they were called cruel for their disciplinary actions when the cultivators were no different. Some of the cultivators in attendance, sensing blood in the water, also began yelling, denying that their sect would ever do something like that.

Some, of course, still sided with Cang Qiong. And amongst the demons, a few were quiet, perhaps thinking that what Binghe suffered through hadn't been that serious.

Yue Qingyuan pressed his lips tightly together, not saying anything in response. The Zui Xian Peak lord, seeing this, did not have the same restraint.

"Surely you jest! Cang Qiong Sect does not abuse our disciples!"

Luo Binghe smiled, happy for the man to have taken the bait.

"Is that so? Then, this lord presumes whipping was not practiced on any peak other than Qing Jing?"

"Not to the extent you mentioned, no."

"Was kneeling in the sun not practiced on any other peak than Qing Jing?"

"...Not to the extent you described."

"Were no disciples ever ostracized by their peers on any other peak than Qing Jing?"

"Of course, some disciples find it difficult to fit in, but we would not go out of our way to worsen it!"

"So, Peak Lord He, you've never dumped out a disciples wine?"

"Not on their head! Yes, Cang Qiong Sect does discipline our disciples, but the punishments you mentioned at the trial went too far. We could not reasonably accept what he'd done, and so, he was ousted at the trial. Why do you bring up our methods now?"

"Simply because, if you knew that what Shen Qingqiu was doing was inappropriate, why did no one take any steps to stop him?"

At this, Qi Qingqi spoke up.

"The peak lords do not interfere with each other's disciplinary decisions. How would a parent feel if someone interfered with the discipline of their child? This lord, for one, would not take it kindly for these men to tell me how to care for my girls. And I'm sure you would hate for someone to tell you how to treat your wives, since you've not had any children yourself."

"Ah, but is Cang Qiong Sect not familial? This lord recalls that you all have generational names and function like a family unit. In such a case, would an aunt not beseech that her brother treat her nephew lightly?"

"Even families have rules amongst each other. And if that aunt is her brother's younger sister, why would she have any real say in his childrearing?"

"What then of the eldest brother?"

At this, her lips shut, a grimace just slightly flinching on her face.

The eyes of the crowd swiftly settled on Yue Qingyuan.

Ah...yeah. Shen Yuan was sure of it now.

Luo Binghe certainly did not like Yue Qingyuan.

In fact, that was an angle he'd considered when reading the book, as much as he loathed to admit there was anything wrong with the man. As the sect leader, he had the authority to set Shen Qingqiu straight, but he did not. He did nothing.

Just like he did nothing to come back for hi—Shen Jiu.

How many times did Luo Binghe look to him for help? Clearly, the book didn't explain everything, as it didn't explain Shen Jiu's past.

So, perhaps there were instances, where Binghe gave him a look. The sort that a child does when they need an adult to help them. Perhaps he had outright asked him for it, asked him to confirm if he deserved what was happening to him. And him, being a child, perhaps didn't know.

But Yue Qingyuan would've known. And he did know, judging by his silence.

He knew what Shen Qingqiu was doing was wrong, but he allowed it. And each time he refused to do anything, he was stabbing Binghe in the back.

...The trap with those thousand arrows now looked quite different to Shen Yuan.

He'd thought it was the typical overkill revenge plot from Luo Binghe the character. But, considering the circumstances, perhaps it was more symbolic than he'd thought.

Yue Qingyuan finally opened his mouth.

"This lord was in the wrong."

Well no shit, Sherlock!

"...So you say," Luo Binghe said quietly. "Is there any reason you did not govern your younger sect sibling and guide him to more reasonable disciplinary tactics?"

"...This lord has no excuse."

"Surely you don't. Though, an explanation would suffice."

None left his mouth. Instead...

"I admit that I was complicit in Shen Qingqiu's poor treatment of you."

"Tch."

When the crowd looked toward Shen Yuan, he stared away, his fan concealing the scowl on his face. His eye, though, held all the emotion they needed to see.

Typical. Irritating.

With the mood sufficiently cooled, Qi Qingqi attempted to speak again.

"If you wish to bestow punishment upon Sect Leader Yue, this lord asks that you allow the judgement to be fielded with his peers. Considering the damage you've caused to Shen Qingqiu's body, I am distrusting of your ability to discipline others reasonably."

Despite the jab at him, Luo Binghe smiled.

"Indeed, I can agree that my handling of Shen Qingqiu's treatment leaves much to be desired. After all, in addition to him not receiving guidance, this lord can no longer say he was abusing me whilst in his right mind."

At this, the crowd began to murmur again, confusion evident in their expressions. The Ku Xing Peak lord interrupted their musings, his voice forcefully calmed.

"Amitabha. To what are you referring? Do you mean to say Shen Qingqiu was insane before but that he is not now?"

"Frankly, yes. Two, Shen Qingqiu was mentally unfit to function as a peak lord prior to his current state, and Cang Qiong Sect should have easily noticed this to be the case. He was, in a specific capacity, incapable of differentiating right from wrong. As such, this lord unjustly punished Shen Qingqiu for the wrongdoing of his whole sect."

Even Shen Yuan wasn't sure about him following such a jump in logic. Hey, Binghe, what are you going for with this?!

"Beloved."

"Hmm?" he responded reflexively.

Shen Yuan looked up to see Binghe smiling at him kindly.

"Could you remind me of the definition of insanity?"

"Ah. Ahem. Insanity is mental illness of a severe nature, to the point one cannot distinguish fiction from reality, cannot conduct their affairs due to psychosis, or display...rather, is subject to uncontrollable and impulsive behavior... Ah, it's also known, in some aspects, as lunacy."

A few wolf demons immediately understood, murmuring amongst each other.

"You mention psychosis. And that is?"

"A loss of touch with reality. A symptom instead of a diagnosis itself. Psychosis can include hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech, and abnormal movements."

"Thank you, my love."

Shen Yuan huffed and fanned himself, looking away as he turned to address the others.

"Peak Lord Mu, as a physician, are you aware of these mental maladies?"

Mu Qingfang, who had been silent throughout, stepped forward.

"This lord is a medical physician, not a psychiatrist. Unfortunately, mental maladies are beyond my scope of expertise."

"Ah, but you know the definition of some of the words, this lord presumes."

"...You would be correct."

"Then, if you would please define the ones you believe would be relevant for the others to know."

He remained quiet for a moment, but with a sigh, he began to speak.

"Hallucinations occur when you perceive something that doesn't exist, like a shadow, an object, or a person. Delusions are false beliefs held by individuals or groups that are fanciful, self-deceptive, demonstrably false, patently untrue, or impossible. Even so, the person or people with said delusions will be resistant to evidence that their belief is incorrect.

"Disorganized speech refers to interruptions in speaking patterns that makes it difficult for others to understand them. For example, incoherent babbling is a form of disorganized speech. And abnormal movements can range from seizures to motionlessness."

"Thanking Peak Lord Mu for your educational evaluation. Then, from your professional opinion, would you say that a qi deviation can be a cause of psychosis?"

"It is possible. Yes. Qi deviations have similar results to the psychosis you mention."

"And it can result in death, yes. Have you noticed personality changes as a result of a qi deviation in your field?

"Yes."

"Then, from your professional opinion, could persistent qi deviations alter someone's personality? If not forever, at least for a period of time?"

Mu Qingfang paused. Luo Binghe tilted his head in quiet, eerie curiosity.

"Hmm?"

"...It...may be possible."

"I would think so. After all, is it true, from your profession as a physician, that qi deviations can have permanent ramifications on someone's physical wellbeing, such as a loss in core stability?"

"...Yes."

"I see! However, with treatment, can these qi deviations be reduced, alleviated, or their symptoms treated?"

"...They can be, depending on the situation."

"Indeed, indeed. Then." Luo Binghe's jovial tone dropped. "Did Shen Qingqiu ever receive long-term, thorough treatment for the results of his constant qi deviations?"

Ah.

Even Shen Yuan paused.

"A normal cultivator may qi deviate once or twice, if that many times. Some never deviate throughout their entire journey. But Shen Qingqiu deviated many, many times. Enough that Qing Jing Peak used to have protocol for functioning when he was indisposed.

"Had this happened to any other peak lord or disciple, would you, as a sect, as a family, not done everything in your power to help and heal them? Would you not have done anything you could to stop them from suffering? What made Shen Qingqiu so different? ...Ah. Sect Leader Yue."

He did not look as firm and staunch as he had before. Instead, there was something a tad haunted about him. He kept shooting that pleading look toward Shen Yuan.

The latter had begun to hate it immensely.

Why look at him like that? What do you want?

Will you do anything beyond looking like that?

"When was Shen Qingqiu accepted into Cang Qiong Sect?"

His gaze flickered, then he turned back to Luo Binghe.

"...When he was brought to the mountain, the Peak Lord of Qing Jing decided to accept him."

"Hmmh. Beloved."

"Mm?"

"Tell me again how you met with Yue Qingyuan."

"...Right." He had to think a bit, remember to say it as though it was his memory rather than a dream he had. If... They were still just dreams. Right? "There was an Immortal Alliance Conference. This one was...under the tutelage of Wu Yanzi. He brought us there to...kill disciples and take their hearts for some sort of elixir. When he targeted Yue Qingyuan, I...killed him."

"I see, thank you. Then, to more accurately state how Shen Qingqiu was accepted into Cang Qiong Sect, it was after he rescued their then top disciple in the entire sect from being murdered by his then shifu. Ah, but Wu Yanzi...I didn't know anything of him, but I recall learning that he was reviled in the cultivation community for being a criminal. Murder, arson, robbery. He was a human practitioner of demonic cultivation.

"Therefore, Shen Qingqiu, prior to his acceptance in discipleship and rising to his position of Qing Jing Peak Lord, was also a human practitioner of demonic cultivation, correct? After all, that's all he'd really come to know. That was all someone like Wu Yanzi would teach him. So then, I wonder how he was treated, as a demonic cultivator among the many little ladies and lords of Cang Qiong Sect."

Qi Qingqi cut in again.

"You think he was mistreated? That's just conjecture! You have no evidence of any mistreatment you can try to claim he faced!"

"And I have no intent on interrogating my future empress on it either. But this lord can say, demonstratively, that the previous Qing Jing Peak Lord taught Shen Qingqiu righteous cultivation. In teaching him your cultivation practices, they were either purposefully or unknowingly negligent, causing his qi to clash with the core he'd formed during his years as a demonic cultivator.

"Neither they nor anyone of their generation did anything substantial to help him adjust to their teachings and practices despite him trying to follow the righteous path. Without any known treatment given to him, Shen Qingqiu struggled and formed a core with both spiritual and demonic qi in a human body. Such a situation would prime anyone for a lifetime of constant, rampant qi deviations, wouldn't it?"

Binghe's eyes narrowed at them.

"Then, instead of growing beyond what their shifu taught them, the Qing generation of Cang Ciong Sect, either knowingly or ignorantly, neglected to help him change, whether to purge the demonic qi or to help him manage both flowing through his forcefully altered meridians.

"And, during the time of my trial against him, Shen Qingqiu, took on the blame for all wrongdoings brought against him, either with or without the context that, for a good portion of the time he functioned as Qing Jing Peak Lord, he was likely suffering the symptoms of severe qi deviations that may very well have killed him at any point, twisting his mind and perpetuating actions beyond what he potentially would have ever done.

"And instead of coming to his defense with any of these details, Cang Qiong Sect...no, Sect Leader Yue, who we can quite clearly prove knew that all this happened, did absolutely nothing to help him."

Luo Binghe laughed.

"Indeed, what a loving, close-knit family."

...Fuck.

Fuck.

Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck.

...Shen Yuan understood.

He understood it now.

Why Shen Jiu became intolerant of Yue Qingyuan.

Why he'd so firmly overlapped Luo Binghe and Qiu Jianluo.

Why he'd just as firmly overlapped Ning Yingying and Qiu Haitang.

Why he was an acerbic piece of shit spiraling further out of whack the longer he lived.

...One of the two things he'd been guilty of.

Of abusing Luo Binghe. And he hadn't even been mentally sound enough to teach, much less run a peak.

And the other thing he'd been guilty of, killing all the men and destroying the Qiu House...that had been the trigger to his future psychotic symptoms. He hadn't killed just the men for no reason.

He knew why now, having dreamt it. Experienced it.

Felt the pain in his broken legs. Heard Yue Qi call to him from the other side of the door. Waited.

Waited.

Waited.

And could wait no longer, his mind shattering as he burned everything he could to the ground.

...It hurt.

It hurt to realize the Qiu House had not been the only group to wrong him. That Wu Yanzi and Qiu Jianluo hadn't been the only men to abuse him. That the Cang Qiong he'd loved had let him hurt and hurt him more.

And all he could feel, aside from the pain, was...

...the same resignation he felt the first time he was judged.

He was guilty. He felt guilty. But he was not the only one to blame.

----

"We plead not guilty to this charge for reason of insanity."

— Luo Binghe, defense attorney and prosecutor, apparently.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6: here Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11+: links on Part 10

AO3

[soupdwelling]

ok au where after becoming archivist jon starts getting into the habit of making vent tiktoks in his car after work because tim showed him how and at first he was like “this is stupid” but then it genuinely started helping him decompress so he just kept doing it in secret. and he eventually he gains a minor following who are becoming increasingly concerned because it goes from “the most INSUFFERABLE statement giver came in today” to “i got fucking KIDNAPPED AGAIN!!!”

[chez-cinnamon]

So would it be safe to say the Kinger of your au in terms of fighting abilities is similar to something like a heavyweight boxer? Mostly asking this going off his design

Safe to say yup!! He opts for close combat and throwing his weight around, not overly worried about getting hurt because he knows he can handle it. His fists are his weapon of choice thanks to his knuckle braces but he also packs a strong kick (courtesy of Gangle vouching about how strong they can be), and he can lift heavy things to throw or use as makeshift weaponry.

[crowfaraday]

she learns to walk and realises she can just Leave now

[sharkylass]

---------------------------------------

SPOILERS: ACT 6 ENCOUNTER, POST GAME

---------------------------------------

More about their time on the roof. They're okay I promise <:]

I just think that while Isa was so passionate about fashion and designing and stuff-

Roboro has been in the loops for so long it kind of... forgot how to do it. And Euphrasie is the one who taught Mirabelle how to sew so-

It just made sense to have her help them a little.

[forgettable-au]

END OF CHAPTER ONE

FORGETTABLE-AU (Page 65-72)

* Time to put this puzzle together.

[BEGINNING] [PREVIOUS] [CONTINUE]

[daily-odile]

sorry guys I'm just REALLY in my limbus phase

(limbus loop courtesy of @wonder-of-the-stars. you can also blame oudile on them too)

[chyarui]

A few of you guys were curious, so as promised, here’s a few of my takes on Kiffar marriage customs! Specifically the role of the qukuuf, hope you guys enjoy! (Once again, this was all inspired by fic Resilience on ao3, though the account is unfortunately orphaned)

Hope my handwriting doesn’t suck too much, and super open to hearing any ideas or questions you might have if I didn’t explain anything fully!

Also here’s a b/w version cause I’m a sucker for greyscale (and to make the qukuuf markings stand out more)

[north-noire]

henry emily and the puppet-girl (charlie)

[scribblestatic]

Sheepzun Posting~

----

Luo Binghe was frustrated.

He'd left his Shizun behind on Qing Jing Peak to see what was happening. As his Shizun had noted, indeed, there was something amiss.

Demons infiltrated Cang Qiong Mountain.

He rushed forward toward Qiong Ding Peak since it seemed the demons intended to isolate those disciples the most. On the way, he slayed a few smaller demons, carefully using the techniques his Shizun instilled in him. After all, it was different to practice something and to actually use it.

Despite his inexperience combatting something so human-shaped, he was able to dispatch them fairly quickly. He had yet to strain a muscle as he continued on his way.

He eventually arrived at the main hall of Qiong Ding, a crowd of disciples from a few peaks struggling against the might of the main hoard of demons. Luo Binghe quickly jumped into the fray, saving one disciple from having his head bashed in. Several were already wounded, cornered and unable to escape.

Though he didn't have his spiritual sword yet, he did his best to beat back the incoming demons. These ones were larger than the imp-like demons before, just as tall or taller than his comrades and clearly more shrewd.

How dare they strike! These demons really were despicable!

But, as he kicked a demon back, a gust of wind suddenly began pressuring the demons' side. A flash of light flickered, and a familiar sword stabbed into another demon trying to kill a different disciple.

Before he could say anything, some of the Qing Jing disciples that arrived with or before him began calling out.

"It's Immortal Master Shen!"

"Martial Uncle Shen!!"

His...Shen Qingqiu landed gingerly on the ground, looking as unflappable as he always did, loftily looking down on others. His presence felt stronger than before, so he surely broke through at least one stage. It hadn't taken very long for him, despite the immortal not breaking through a realm since the time Luo Binghe became a disciple.

Luo Binghe's senses triggered, and he moved out of the way just in time to avoid Ming Fan rushing past him, relief extremely evident in his ecstatic expression. He watched as the boy spread his arms to present their master, grinning in the direction of the demons.

"Demon girl! My Shifu is already here, see you if you dare to be arrogant anymore!"

Finally, the tide returned to the side of righteous cultivation, the disciples no longer cornered as they all sidled up to Shen Qingqiu for support. Luo Binghe finally sheathed his sword once the sides were cleanly split, the demons on the defensive with the disciples and master now standing in the way of an easy exit.

And so, Luo Binghe made the mistake of thinking himself safe.

He was swiftly reminded he wasn't upon hearing the immortal master call his name to face the largest, most fearsome competitor of all three trials.

Shen Qingqiu wasn't aware that he'd been training with another teacher. That his Shizun was present on Qing Jing Peak. Or, if he was, he never said anything about it. Besides, few, if any, Qing Jing disciples were aware of Shizun's presence. He kept himself carefully concealed.

Regardless, Shen Qingqiu likely knew he was barely trained in Qing Jing's martial arts. After Shizun pointed out the uselessness of his cultivation manual, Luo Binghe could only assume this sabotage was intentional. And now, the immortal had him facing a demon that would be a struggle for some of Qing Jing's instructors to handle.

Did... Did Shen Qingqiu want him dead? Why?

But Luo Binghe didn't have the luxury of time to question the immortal's reasoning. Instead, he put his whole body into dodging the swing of the large demon's sledgehammer, watching as the ground cracked under the pressure of its collision.

Getting hit by that once, he could probably handle with a few injuries. Getting hit several times...

This was a fight to the death.

So, using everything he learned from hunting animals closer to the base of the mountain for food and from training with his Shizun, he sought to bring death upon his opponent. If he tried to do anything less, he'd die instead.

Fleeing would definitely be the best course of action here. But with everyone's eyes on him, he couldn't flee. He was cornered.

Dodging as much as possible, he looked for a gap in the elder demon's defenses, but it was all covered with that dastardly poisoned armor. If he could at least find the straps keeping it on him, he could, essentially, break the tortoise's shell.

He had to keep himself from becoming a splatter on the pavement first, though--

"Ughh!!"

Luo Binghe barely had time to prepare before the sledgehammer slammed into his side. He could immediately feel his arm bruise, but he leaned with the force pushing him, then helped the energy leave him by rolling, quickly returning to his feet.

'You don't have horns, so instead of confronting force head-on, you should try to lean with it. Help the energy escape so it doesn't act entirely on your body.'

It hurt, but he was still standing. With a dash, he avoided another slam from the sledgehammer.

However, his energy was starting to wane. Usually, a prey animal would have much more room to move and to find an escape. He could not escape, and so, it was a battle of stamina and interest. As long as he could keep moving and avoid death, he could wear down on the elder demon's patience, leading him to make mistakes...

But Luo Binghe had less stamina than his opponent.

He was starting to get hit more and more. Blood was crawling up his throat as he felt bruises purple under his clothes.

Panting, sweat dripped off his face. If he let himself hesitate for too long, he'd start to lose focus, his vision swimming. His heart beat frantically in his ears.

He could distantly hear the disciples behind him call his battle a one-sided beating, bemoaning his inevitable loss. The demons were starting to laugh and ridicule him, telling him to dance, dance, and dance more.

How frustrating...

How frustrating...

If he was to die here, it would not be the demons that killed him.

Shen Qingqiu... His blood would be on Shen Qingqiu's hands.

Although he had loosely clung to the idea that the immortal master would one day treat him like he was worth the same time and effort as any other Qing Jing disciple, at this moment, he finally laid those hopes to rest. Instead, heady resentment, barely held back by his reverence, began to burst through and cloud his mind.

The hammer was moving. He needed to dodge. He needed to--

A forceful voice interrupted his thoughts. It echoed in his mind like a gong, clearing out all the noise, save for that single line.

'Luo Binghe, you will win.'

...

Shizun?

That was definitely his Shizun's voice.

Then, that meant he was watching him. Somewhere behind him, his Shizun was watching over him, voicing his thoughts only to him.

And though he couldn't trust the words of anyone else, he could trust his Shizun.

He said he would win. That meant his Shizun truly believed that he would.

There came a warmth to his chest, spreading to his other limbs, enough that his eyes burned with the urge to cry tears of happiness. Oh... Oh how good it felt, for someone to believe in him despite all odds! To care about him!

It was all he had ever wanted from anyone, and it was something his Shizun gave him so freely.

But now was not the time to cry.

A cool calmness washed over him from his head to his feet. His once wavering vision focused as he managed, barely, to dodge the swing coming at him, leaning backwards before flipping, landing back onto his feet.

His body ached. He turned his head to spit out loose blood before licking his teeth. He was against an opponent with decades of experience on him. The demons were still cheering for his demise, for him to lose. Shen Qingqiu was still waiting for him to mess up and perish.

But he would win.

His Shizun commanded it.

---

There was a shift in the energy around the battle.

It started slowly, with the demons continuing to jeer at Cang Qiong for their inevitable defeat.

But then, Elder Tian Chui's hammer missed again.

And again. And again. And again.

The disciples, once disheartened and restless, began to perk up.

Luo Binghe dodged another swing, his gaze strong and serene. It was as though he simply moved out of the way, like dodging a mere stick instead of a hammer. At one point, he merely tilted his head a few scant cun away as the hammer's head passed it. It didn't even scratch his ear before he twisted away.

At this, the demons began going silent, and like before, the tide returned to the cultivators of Cang Qiong, and instead of mourning a loss that had yet to happen, they began cheering for a victory they could now see in the horizon.

Frustration began to color Elder Tian Chui's movements as he struggled to hit the boy. But Luo Binghe carefully avoided each swipe, looking for a good opening.

Everyone could see that the elder was completely covered in spiked armor, save for his face and fists. No one was sure how Luo Binghe could combat that, but his newfound confidence influenced those watching.

Even Sha Hualing began watching the cultivator boy closer, humming under her breath as she inspected him. This little bud could prove very troublesome in the future if allowed to grow. Unless Elder Tian Chui ended him here, she'd need to employ some more subtle tactics.

Luo Binghe avoided another swing, but then he stood firm, bearing his sword.

Had he found it? An opening? But no one could see it anywhere!

Enraged, the demon elder held his hammer firmly and thrust it forward with a bellow.

But, much to everyone's surprise, instead of dodging, Luo Binghe's qi began to flow off of his skin. Then, it disappeared, condensing into his sword--not even a spiritual sword, but one intended for training.

A flicker of light appeared at the tip, and the tip of the sword and eye of the hammer collided.

A beat of silence. Then, like lightning, Luo Binghe's qi shot through the hammer's eye, up the handle and grip, and burst into the meridians in Elder Tian Chui's hand, up his arms.

The clear, whitish blue qi polluted his meridians and cracked through them.

Elder Tian Chui, who had several hundreds of years of cultivation, cried out in pain as the meridians in his hands stung, like thousands of bees and hornets stinging him from the inside. The pain was enough for him to drop his hammer, much to the shock of the demons behind him.

Although Luo Binghe's sword now had a prominent dent in the tip, he still ran forward, gathering qi around him. He swung his sword toward the elder's other hand, slashing through the skin of his knuckles as more painful qi found and bled into him.

Luo Binghe swiftly backed away as the demon cried out again.

From his short move forward, he was able to see the slight gaps in the armor.

From then on, instead of a mouse facing a cat, a snake was circling a pheasant it had already poisoned.

With careful slashes and stalking, Luo Binghe cut the straps keeping much of the armor on his body. Cut by cut, Elder Tian Chui's vambraces and greaves fell to the ground, leaving his arms and legs exposed to the open air.

Luo Binghe didn't waste a single moment, slashing incessantly at the demon as he channeled more painful spiritual qi into his demonic body.

Finally, he gathered his qi into his left hand and, with a burst, shot it at the demon's chest. It flew forward, then exploded right in front of him.

The elder demon cried out once more, then fell onto his back, disarmed and almost fully disrobed. His helmet fell off his head, rolling on the ground.

For a few moments, both the demons and disciples went quiet.

Then, Cang Qiong's side began an uproarious applause!!

Amazing! They just witnessed something one would never see in hundreds of years! A single disciple, not even the head disciple, managed to win against an elder demon with hundreds of years of cultivation under his belt!

Qiong Ding disciples ran up to him first, applauding his success and praising his technique as Luo Binghe's adrenaline finally calmed. He took their praise in stride, though he seemed to look a bit out of place, like he was unsure of what to do about them. Instead, he was looking around as though in search of someone.

Of course, most would assume he was looking for his Shifu, so one disciple pointed in his direction, Luo Binghe looking over.

Shen Qingqiu's expression was outwardly impassive, but now, the boy could see the underlying rage in his darkened eyes. The spine of his fan was cracked from the force of his clenched fist.

Luo Binghe looked away, still searching for someone else as the cheering increased.

A little further off, Liu Mingyan gazed at Luo Binghe with a mix of awe and envy. Neither of them had their spiritual swords, but Luo Binghe's results were so much more outstanding than her own. She quietly decided that he could potentially make for a good rival, someone to look to in order to improve her own cultivation. She'd have to look out and encounter him more often, if only to see what he did to train.

Sha Hualing's opinion that she couldn't leave the boy alone did shift, though it was mixed with anger at the situation. Of course, this 'Luo Binghe' was quite powerful and handsome. If only he wasn't a cultivator... But perhaps there was something more behind his power. She'd need to investigate it, and she knew just the demon to consult.

But first and foremost...

“...The Central Plains people of the Human Realm have talents as expected, for such a young hero to come out. Ling-er really admires," she pleasantly gritted out, her gaze sharp.

Shen Qingqiu turned toward her with a scoff, eyes narrowed.

"We've accommodated your tryst and tolerated your unannounced presence for quite some time now, Young Miss. You would be wise to withdraw, since we were so underprepared to facilitate your family's curiosity. Surely it's been sated, and you all have learned well."

The disciples, drunk on victory, jeered at the demons, Sha Hualing's eye resisting the urge to twitch.

Eventually, she gave in. It was clear that her demons were outmatched. Unless the tides turned once more, they were going to return empty-handed. And that was if they could return at all. Surely the disciples were upset at their visit and the injuries they wrought on the sect. Now believing they could win, they would surely be out for blood!

This all should've worked out, if not for...

Sha Hualing finally chose where to direct her anger, grabbing Elder Tian Chui's hair as he sat up, wounded and bleeding sluggishly from many cuts. With his hair in her firm grasp, she smacked him across his bare face several times.

“To lose to such a young disciple under Elder Shen in a fight and in such an ugly manner! You’ve lost face for all demons!”

"This one is incompetent!" the elder cried out, interrupted by the scratch of her nails across his cheek. "Begging the saintess for punishment!"

"Wretched cur! To think you would humiliate us like this! How dare you call yourself an elder!"

"Begging Saintess for punishment!!"

Shen Qingqiu sniffed at the display, fanning himself leisurely.

"This master finds your behavior incredibly uncultured, Young Miss. If you wish to discipline your subordinates, do so off our esteemed mountain. You all have long overstayed your welcome."

After a few more biting words, Sha Hualing did an about-face, forcing herself to smile. "Elder Shen's words are right. This Ling-er lost herself for a moment after seeing the inexplicable talent of your sect's young gentleman, comparing him to the waste under her own command. Elder Shen, please excuse this one."

She turned her back to them, her expression chilled as ice as she stared down at the dishonored elder.

"Elder Du Bi fighting and losing to Elder Shen is a matter of course. For you to also lose your trial, against a sect disciple no less... You don't need me to say anymore. See to yourself."

Elder Tian Chui understood her order immediately, feeling his heart sink. This invasion was only supposed to be a time for them to rough up and kill a few cultivators, humiliating them for their own honor.

But now, he was the one humiliated, the only one who truly lost against Cang Qiong Mountain Sect. But it wasn't against Immortal Master Shen. No, it was against that little doll of a boy who he beat around until he spat up blood! But instead of ending the play, he was the one on the ground instead!

Malice fueled him, pushing through the pain still tingling in his limbs from the spiritual qi that polluted them. while he was mostly disarmed, he still had his breastplate, the spikes coated in Without A Cure.

That little weedling... He'd see the end to him today!

He moved as though he was going to kneel in shame, watching that curly-haired human boy stop looking around, surrounded by his peers as they inquired about his health.

Instead, he steadied himself, grabbing his hammer.

Then, with a burst of physical power, he shot up, running full-tilt toward the boy. His arms raised, his hammer prepared to strike, as he bellowed with all the fury he felt in his heart!

Luo Binghe had calmed down, fatigue bleeding into his body, so his senses had uncharacteristically dulled. As such, he was somewhat sluggish when he heard the incoming demon, looking up too late as he approached. The disciples, once around him and praising him, quickly scattered, leaving him standing alone as his vision blurred with exhaustion.

'Ah...' he thought, 'Shizun did tell me about this, didn't he...'

The pain shooting through the elder demon was too much, causing him to stumble. He was going to fall too quickly for Without A Cure to make contact with the boy. But it was clear he was dazed! His hammer would complete the job for him!

He would be well worth his own name!

As though time slowed, the demon's hammer approaches the top of Luo Binghe's head.

But before it reached, some invisible thing rushed forward, shoving disciples aside.

Its body was a blur as the qi obfuscating its appearance and presence diminish.

Its head was low, an ivory white coming into view, as the smell of fields and grass emanated from it.

Then, it pushed its front legs off the ground, its head high. The curled horns attached to its skull slammed against the incoming sledgehammer.

Instead of the hammer continuing its downward motion, it yanked up so quickly, it was as though a rope was attached to it, the other end hidden somewhere in the heavens. The sudden move stretched the demon's arm to its limits, delaying his fall.

There was a sharp crack, a pop, unlike anything those present had ever heard before.

A moment later, the sledgehammer, from its face to its handle, wavered--

Then shattered like glass.

Only the grip remained, which Elder Tian Chui clung to as he finally fell chest-first on the ground.

His right arm...the bones in it felt wrong. Were they...broken?

Broken from the vibrations the grip of his hammer couldn't withstand?

His left hand, which had let go, bleeding from his poor grip before, helped him as he tried to look up.

A ram stared back at him.

But it wasn't like any ram he'd seen before.

Its gleaming eyes focused on him, horns curled and vicious, without a single crack. Wavy wool, more akin to hair than cotton, hung off its body, similar to a yak. A single red spot stood out on the ram's forehead.

The sheep began stepping backward, but from the focus on him, the demon could tell it wasn't to retreat.

"Wh-Wha--"

Before he could say what he wanted, the ram rose up on its back legs, stepping forward with its front ones bent.

Step, step, step, step--

Just as Elder Tian Chui attempted to speak, the ram's steps shifted into a thrust, its horns angled downwards.

The ram's head collided with the demon elder's.

With it, a flash of spiritual qi--

And a burst of red.

[poorly-drawn-mdzs]

Lan Wangji Goes To Lotus Pier AU: Part 4: Deranged Bedfellows

(Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4.5)

[zoe-oneesama]

You fool, you had plausible deniability until you said “Scarlet LADY!”

Episode 45 Part 6

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Season 1, Season 2, Season 3, Season 4, Season 5

Ep 41, Ep 42, Ep 43, Ep 44, Ep 46, Ep 47

Ko-fi | Patreon

[crowfaraday]

"...as in, greg?" "he hated eggs, so that was the only theory i had."

[artilite]

PARTY ROCK IS IN THE HOUSE TONIGHT 🔥

Loop x Porty MK, idea courtesy of isatcord!

[lucabyte]

an ending (x)

[samhainian]

Been having thoughts about ISAT’s ending for a while now. The ending is extremely swell and I love it a lot, but I’ve been haunted by a flash assumption I had late in Act 5

!!! SPOILERS FOR ACT 5 AND BEYOND !!!

Between the resolution with The King and up until the final fight, I had assumed Siffrin was going to die? This would have been extremely cruel thematically but I’ve seen enough of these sorts of things that I wasn’t going to be shocked if it had happened. It didn’t, obviously, and the ending we got was wonderful, and I’m very happy that everyone made it out okay… but I’ve been rolling around the idea of Sif dying in my head. 

I don’t feel like it would be thematically incoherent? Thematically cruel, absolutely, but not completely out of line. 

Hear me out: The King is defeated, Vaugarde is saved, and Siffrin is now too sick and burnt out to continue. Vaugarde’s wish has been granted, and Siffrin, unable to go on, has to accept their own death, a real one this time, with no looping back. 

Siffrin not wanting everyone to leave can be granted, in a cruel, twisted way. They will never have to be left behind by their family, never have to say goodbye, since they can spend their final moments surrounded by them. The House’s balcony would provide an ample location as well, with The Island being visible just on the horizon. Siffrin can die, having completed their goal, surrounded by their family, seeing their homeland for one last time, and rest easy knowing that they were loved.

It would be a tragic end, but still an ending.

And wouldn’t this be exactly what Loop wanted?

King is dead, or at least dead enough. Country is saved, loops are over, and that weird clone copy debacle wrapped itself up nicely. The party can stick close to each other since they have a body to deal with, and Loop gets to have their family back. Everyone is alive, a Siffrin is alive. Everything is as it should be.

Loop Wins.